Dave Brubeck reacts to a Bobby Militello sax solo at Villa Montalvo during a performance on Aug. 26, 2005. San Francisco photographer Kim Komenich joined jazz legend Dave Brubeck, 85 at the time, and his wife Iola and his quartet (Bobby Militello sax, Michael Moore, bass and Randy Jones, drums) on a two-day tour through the Central Valley, where he was raised. Brubeck's gigs include Villa Montalvo in Saratoga on Aug. 26th, and Outdoor Grove in Sacramento on Aug. 27.

Dave Brubeck performs at Villa Montalvo in Saratoga.
We join jazz legend Dave Brubeck, 85, his wife Iola and his quartet (Bobby Militello sax, Michael Moore, bass and Randy Jones, drums) on a two-day tour through the Central Valley, where he was raised.

Dave Brubeck is a passenger in a van as it passes through Pacheco, Calif., where his parents are buried at Pacheco Pioneer Cemetery.

Photo: Kim Komenich, SFC

Dave Brubeck is a passenger in a van as it passes through Pacheco,...

Dave Brubeck is a passenger in a van as it passes through Pacheco,... Photo-3848741.53444 - SFGate

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On his way through Diablo Valley from a gig in Saratoga to a gig in Sacramento, Dave Brubeck asks the driver to stop at Pacheco Pioneer Cemetery, where his parents are buried. Brubeck was born in Concord on Dec. 6, 1920. Unfortunately, the cemetery was locked and he was only able to look through the fence.

Photo: Kim Komenich, SFC

On his way through Diablo Valley from a gig in Saratoga to a gig in...

On his way through Diablo Valley from a gig in Saratoga to a gig in... Photo-3848205.53444 - SFGate

Image 11 of 19

The Brubecks arrive at the Radisson Hotel in Sacramento, where he will perform that night. They are told there are no first floor rooms available.

Photo: Kim Komenich, SFC

The Brubecks arrive at the Radisson Hotel in Sacramento, where he...

The Brubecks arrive at the Radisson Hotel in Sacramento, where he... Photo-3848213.53444 - SFGate

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Iola Brubeck, right, laughs with Dave Brubeck, seated, as they settle into their room at the Radisson Hotel in Sacramento in 2005.
We join jazz legend Dave Brubeck, 85, his wife Iola and his quartet (Bobby Militello sax, Michael Moore, bass and Randy Jones, drums) on a two-day tour through the Central Valley, where he was raised.

Dave Brubeck, left, comps to a sax solo by Bobby Militello.
We join jazz legend Dave Brubeck, 85, his wife Iola and his quartet (Bobby Militello sax, Michael Moore, bass and Randy Jones, drums) on a two-day tour through the Central Valley, where he was raised.

Dave Brubeck acknowledges a solo by bass player Michael Moore.
We join jazz legend Dave Brubeck, 85, his wife Iola and his quartet (Bobby Militello sax, Michael Moore, bass and Randy Jones, drums) on a two-day tour through the Central Valley, where he was raised.